Going Back to School: Now or Never?

Being successful in returning to school depends on how much attention you give to your educational and career goals. Going back to get that degree or certification is a decision that should not be taken lightly. It deserves careful consideration. My advice: Be strategic.

Why go?

Some of the many reasons include: Pressure from peers, parents or faculty, prestige, career indecisiveness, advancement and finally hanging out longer to prolong the inevitable job market. Individuals apprehensive about the job search may view going back to school as a way to delay making tough career decisions. An advanced degree may make you more marketable, but it will not guarantee career satisfaction. In some fields, real world experience can be valued more than academics. Two of the best reasons to go back to school are: 1) the love for a particular subject and the desire to study it in depth, and/or 2) the need to enter or advance in the profession of your choice.

If there are other influencing factors, like the fact that everyone else is doing it, then you may want to rethink your decision. Be sure the advice you consider reaffirms your own motivation and goals. Graduate school is highly self-directed and requires discipline; it’s hard to make a go of it when you are unsure why you are there. Get clarity on what this degree is going to do for you.

Now or Never?

Deciding when to go sometimes determines whether some people will go at all. There are good reasons for entering right after college versus waiting a few years. Students often feel they are at the peak of their study skills and mental abilities immediately after graduation. Others feel that if they don’t go now and get it over with, they simply won’t be motivated to leave a job and go back to the lifestyle of a student.

One argument for working first before going back would be to gain a couple of years experience needed to attend a top program. Other advantages of work first include: testing out a career interest area, learning of other possibilities, becoming a stronger job candidate, and maybe having an employer pay for the degree. Some people acknowledge that college and graduate school will always be there when they are ready. It is definitely a personal decision and each individual needs to decide what is best for them after some deliberate self-assessment.

First, reflect on these three main questions: 1) Is an advanced degree required for entry into my chosen field?, 2) Will it enhance my personal satisfaction?, 3) Will it advance my career? My advise is to follow a year long planning timeline which includes: Researching and selecting programs, studying for and taking required entrance exams, writing admissions essays, investigating financing options, visiting campuses, interviewing with admissions, interviewing students/department chairs, collecting transcripts, and providing reference writers ample time to meet deadlines. Learn exactly how each school conducts the application process since there is plenty of paper work and details to remember.

What are your long-range career and lifestyle goals?

It is important to think about the impact it will have on your life three to five years from now and beyond. With this decision, you are to some degree defining a profession and a lifestyle. Ask yourself such important questions like, “How interested am I in studying this body of knowledge? Will this degree adequately prepare me for a specific occupation? Am I prepared to make a commitment to this field? What is the job outlook? Can I envision myself as a lawyer, teacher, manager, doctor, professor, engineer, etc.?” Be sure to talk to students at the schools you want to attend; they can provide “insider” advice as to what it is really like beyond the glossy catalog.

A full-time masters program usually takes two years while a Ph.D. (which stands for: Poor, hungry and Driven) or other professional programs will take many more years. During this time you will be intensely focused on your academics and forfeiting salary, work experience and free time. Having a vision and long-term direction can make your experience more meaningful and less confusing. Get advice from people in the field about the rewards and negatives of your potential path. The key is asking for different points of view.

How will you pay for it?

Ultimately you will need to decide if it is worth the financial sacrifice. Fellowships and scholarships may be awarded by departments, institutions, or external organizations. Financial aid can take the form of loans, work-study programs, teaching or research assistantships. Consider working full-time and researching employers that will pay you to study part-time. It’s essential to make an appointment with the Financial Aid Office and sit down with one of their counselors. Financial aid varies tremendously from school to school, and so it is important to investigate all the facts before making your final decision.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Going Back to School

1. Is the program accredited and recognized on the local or national level?

2. Does the program emphasize: theory, research or case study?

3. Do the classes listed in the catalog seem exciting?

4. Is the school in a geographic area in which I want to spend two or more years?

5. Where do graduates of the program typically find work?

6. What is the average starting salary, and will I be able to support my loan payment?

7. Are faculty accessible and on the cutting edge in their field and performing research that excites me?

8. What type of housing is available?

9. How extensive are the labs, classrooms and library?

10. Should I consider a state school or a private university?

Tom’s Tip: “Education is the drawing out of the Soul.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

2 Responses

Great advice! Another way to jumpstart your possible college transcript is to find out if any professional development programs you have completed have been evaluated for college credit recommendations. Two organizations who keep directories of evaluated non-collegiate education and training programs are The National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (see the CCR Online directory of courses) and the American Council on Education (ACE CREDIT). Visit the websites for these organizations to see if your training has received college credit recommendations.

Thanks for the hint. It could help a lot from children nowadays to start their life in school. Education is very crucial to human being. It is a way for us to be intelligent enough and well inform about the things that we could not get to other places. This may lead us to a better future. Indeed, you have a great post! Very informative!!